The Top 10 Most Rejuvenating Spiritual Retreats in Mexico

With its rich mystical traditions and stunning natural scenery, Mexico is a fantastic place to reconnect with your spiritual side. Every year, the country offers hundreds of meditation and wellness retreats that help guests combat stress, bolster energy, and learn more about themselves. Whether you’re already a keen yogi or you’re just looking to try something new, these are 10 of the best spiritual retreats in Mexico.

Vipassana Meditation Retreat

For people who are serious about meditation, the Vipassana Movement organizes numerous retreats in Mexico and has a center near Valle de Bravo in the highlands of central Mexico. The courses are something of a meditation marathon—conducted in silence for 10 days with around 10 hours of sitting meditation each day. Yet many people who have completed the course report life-changing experiences. The course is paid for through voluntary donations, and only students who have completed it can donate.

Pura Vida Wellness Retreat

Pura Vida Wellness Retreat

The Pura Vida Center offers spiritual retreats in a luxurious tropical spa setting. The secluded resort lies in the untouched fishing village of Yelapa on the western coast of Mexico. The retreats are typically 10 days long, with daily yoga and meditation classes, hikes to waterfalls, and spiritual life-coaching sessions. Unlike the other retreats on this list, the center is open to families, with playground activities and games scheduled for children.

Las Olas Surf Safaris

For women who are keen on yoga and surfing, or for newcomers who want to give them a try, Las Olas Surf Safaris in Sayulita offers a truly enriching experience. The surf camp boasts first-rate villas with cabana-style enclosed bedrooms. The all-female staff leads the activities, with a typical day consisting of morning yoga, several surf sessions, and a fun evening activity.

The Xinalani Retreat Center

The Xinalani Retreat Center

The Xinalani Retreat Center, located in Puerto Vallarta, offers a range of spiritual retreats focusing on yoga, breathing, and relaxation. The stunning facility, which sits between verdant jungle and warm turquoise waters, boasts gorgeous thatched-roofed cabins, four yoga studios, and an oceanfront spa.

Haramara Retreat

Haramara Retreat

Set in an idyllic jungle location on the western coast of Mexico, the Haramara Retreat is perfect for yoga enthusiasts who are looking to relax and rejuvenate. The complex consists of more than a dozen hand-built wooden huts that blend seamlessly with the surrounding jungle. With no electricity in the cabins, guests are freed from the demands of the digital age and can focus on more fulfilling activities—enjoying a massage in the spa, taking in the sunset at the private beach, or stretching in one of the two elegant yoga studios.

About this place:

Rancho La Puerta

Rancho La Puerta

Situated less than two miles (3.2 kilometers) from the U.S.-Mexico border, Rancho La Puerta is a beautiful retreat center in the elegant town of Tecate. The wellness center offers a broad range of activities and treatments, including fitness and cooking classes, Reiki, massages, and acupuncture. The ranch, founded in 1940, has been at the forefront of the New Age movement in Mexico ever since.

Accessibility & Audience:

Adults Only

Services & Activities:

Luxury

Atmosphere:

Peaceful

Baja Cleanse

For travelers looking to detox their system, the Baja Cleanse in Baja California Sur is an excellent choice. The spa retreat takes place in a luxury beachfront property with guests taking part in a seven-day cleansing program that involves organic, raw foods. There is also a wide range of therapies on offer, including daily yoga and psychedelic plant ceremonies.

I Am Mermaid Paddle Yoga

Described as a “floating-yoga studio,” the I Am Mermaid retreat is a seven-night getaway for people interested in stand up paddleboard yoga—an innovative blend of yoga and paddleboarding. Guests stay in a pretty beachside villa and enjoy meals prepared using fresh, local products. As well as daily yoga and meditation, the retreat includes a sound healing and cacao ceremony.

Cancún Temazcal

For tourists who are staying in Cancún and looking for something more spiritual on their trip but don’t have the time for a week-long retreat, Cancún Temazcal is a great day-trip idea. Tucked away in the lush jungle surrounding the popular resort that shares its name, the center offers beautiful temazcal rituals—traditional Mayan steam baths that take place in a stone, igloo-like structure. The ritual dates back to the ancient Mayans and is believed to help cleanse the body and mind of impurities.

Bufo Toad Medicine Retreat

Travelers interested in shamanic medicine should look into Terra Incognita, an organization that runs five-day retreats at a private mansion in the Caribbean state of Quintana Roo. The program is centered on Bufo toad medicine, which contains DMT, a powerful psychedelic used for ritual and healing purposes. During the retreat, guests partake in daily awareness exercises and a number of group rituals where they take the medicine. As the toad medicine is scarce, the organization makes an effort to source it ethically and donate back to resource management groups.